Facebook Timeline launches: How to make the switch now

It's been talked about for what feels like ages, but as of Thursday (Dec. 15) any Facebook user can switch his or her profile page to the fancy new Timeline layout. The photo-heavy design was first unveiled in September and rolled out in New Zealand a week before being released to the all of Facebook's 800 million members.

Well, kind of.

Sometime in the next few days, all Facebook users will get a notification that they can now upgrade to Timeline. But, if you just can't wait, go to
Facebook.com/about/Timeline to upgrade immediately. You'll then get a preview of your page and a 7-day grace period to remove any stuff you may not want to share with the world before your page is pushed live.

Users can also add a snazzy "cover" photo that serves as a banner at the top of the page. Facebook also warns against using the space for advertisements or any other kind of commercial activity. We'll see how long that lasts.

The lower portion of the page uses a much more graphic layout to display photos, links and recent activity. And, yes, it's exhaustive. Think of it as a first mainstream step in the growing movement to digitally archive one's entire life.